Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a high-level phone call held on Thursday, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi issued a stark warning to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, cautioning that any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians from the Gaza Strip would not only constitute a grave violation of international law but could also trigger a historic wave of irregular migration toward Europe.
President El-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s unwavering position against the displacement of Palestinians from their homeland, stressing that such actions would destabilize the regional peace architecture and fuel long-term insecurity across the Mediterranean. “Any movement in this direction poses a direct threat to the regional peace framework and opens the door to an unprecedented wave of illegal migration toward Europe,” President El-Sisi said, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency.
The call between President El-Sisi and PM Starmer came as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with Israeli military operations intensifying and international concern mounting over the fate of more than two million Palestinians trapped under siege.
During the conversation, both leaders emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the lifting of Israeli-imposed restrictions on humanitarian aid, and the release of detainees and hostages. President El-Sisi welcomed Britain’s intention to recognize the State of Palestine later this month, calling the move a “significant step” in the international community’s support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of their independent state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Prime Minister Starmer praised Egypt’s diplomatic efforts coordinated with Qatar and the United States, to broker a ceasefire, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and bring an end to what he described as a devastating humanitarian catastrophe. He also expressed appreciation for Egypt’s leadership in maintaining regional stability amid growing geopolitical tensions.
Both leaders also strongly condemned the recent Israeli airstrike on Qatar, labeling it a flagrant violation of international law and a serious breach of state sovereignty. The strike, which reportedly targeted individuals participating in ceasefire discussions, has drawn widespread international outrage and prompted an emergency session at the United Nations Security Council.
The call also covered a range of other regional crises, with both sides agreeing on the need for political solutions that preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations while protecting the rights and aspirations of their peoples.
In a gesture that underscored the strengthening ties between Cairo and London, Prime Minister Starmer expressed his anticipation of visiting Egypt in the near future, reaffirming his commitment to enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation across multiple domains.
Meanwhile, international concern over Israel’s stated plans to forcibly evacuate up to one million Palestinians from northern Gaza to the south continues to escalate. The proposed strategy has drawn harsh criticism from humanitarian organizations and foreign governments, who warn it could amount to ethnic cleansing and further compound the already catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
The war, which began on October 7, 2023, has so far claimed the lives of approximately 62,000 Palestinians and left around 157,000 injured, according to the latest figures released by the Ministry of Health in Gaza. Conditions in the Strip have reached desperate levels, with international aid agencies warning of widespread famine and a soaring death toll from malnutrition particularly among children, the sick, and people with disabilities.
The Kremlin also weighed in on the situation. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed Moscow’s deep concern over the escalating violence and mounting civilian casualties in Gaza. He emphasized Russia’s commitment to closely monitoring developments and its support for a return to negotiations and the broader peace process.
As global outrage builds and diplomatic pressure mounts, the international community is facing a critical juncture in its efforts to avert further disaster in Gaza and prevent the conflict from spilling across borders and destabilizing the wider region.
